2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Ocean Shores, WA vs Bellingham, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Bellingham, is 13% more than it is in Ocean Shores and is 17% below the National Average.
- Ocean Shores unemployment rate is 8.8%.
- Bellingham unemployment rate is 6.2%.
 Ocean Shores, WABellingham, WAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.2%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock1.7%1.6%
 Future Job Growth34.5%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes9.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock0.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$30,785  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$59,163$69,021
 Family Median Income$65,448  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Ocean Shores, WABellingham, WAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock12.9%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.0%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock7.5%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K11.0%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock7.9%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K11.0%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock9.8%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K14.4%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock13.7%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K2.5%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock6.1%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Ocean Shores, WABellingham, WAUnited States
 Management, business, finance11.9%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock6.3%6.5%
 Community, social services2.6%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.8%1.2%
 Education, library7.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.6%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology5.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock3.7%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement0.7%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock8.6%5.4%
 Building maintenance6.2%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock4.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support15.2%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.7%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair10.7%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock11.8%13.1%
Reviews for Ocean Shores    7 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

We are going on our 3rd year in OS. We love the small town feel, the low stress and feeling of safety. This is all for the winter months mind you. In the summer, it is a  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

Wonderful beach town.... we're going into our second year and I disagree with the grocery store comments and the weather. Yes, it rains or drizzles on occasion, but the  More

   |    Reply

We invested in Ocean Shores as a second home to spend our weekends after the work week stress. I'm also a property manager that works in Washington, Oregon and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ocean Shores

Reviews for Bellingham    58 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I've lived in so many cities in 5 west coast states and have come to a conclusion that Bellingham is the greatest city to live, work, play and raise a family. After  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

From what I’ve seen and heard, the very liberal political/ethical beliefs of Bellingham residents, as well as the grey rainy weather, are the main things a few people  More

   |    Reply

If you’re like many Americans and caught up in right vs left you won’t like the far left here in Bellingham wa. If you put politics away and you enjoy skiing,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Bellingham


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.